{
  "id": 5273363,
  "title": "USS Lincoln crew hits the streets of Thai beach city after lengthy Middle East deployment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/uss-lincoln-crew-hits-the-streets-of-thai-beach-city-after-lengthy-5273363",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T07:14:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/03/uss-lincoln-crew-hits-the-streets-of-thai-beach-city-after-lengthy-middle-east-deployment"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pattaya, Thailand (AP) — Buses with sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier pulled into the Thai seaside resort city of Pattaya on Thursday, marking a port call following a long stint in the Middle East. This annual visit saw the crew unload from the buses, eager to explore the city after a deployment that spanned over 260 days. The Lincoln, which played a role in supporting U.S. efforts against Iran, had been at sea for a total of 286 days, including a record 264 days without interruption. Despite some concerns about the crew's mental health and food supplies, Navy officials downplayed any issues, while President Donald Trump remarked that the deployment was \"not nearly long enough.\" Upon disembarking, sailors expressed excitement about their time in Pattaya, with a few commenting that the lengthy deployment had been manageable. Vendors and travel agents, eager to greet the returning sailors, set up shop outside the Hard Rock Hotel, the official drop-off point for the returning troops. Many sailors waved away the offers for souvenirs and services, while others eagerly waved them on as they made their way to their rides. Other ships from the Lincoln's strike group were also docked in Thailand, with the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. at Chonburi's Sriracha port and the USS Robert Smalls in Map Ta Phut in neighboring Rayong province. A local vendor, A-ngoon Sombat, traveled 200 kilometers from Pattaya to Ayutthaya to sell colorful braided bracelets to the sailors, as she does every time a U.S. ship makes a port call in the region. She set up her stall near the hotel entrance and managed to sell a few items, but remained uncertain about the week's business. A small attraction had formed just outside the port, with people gathering to catch a glimpse of the massive ship. Some travelers had driven from neighboring provinces just to see the Lincoln, describing it as an \"engineering marvel.\" The ship's commanding officer, Capt. Dan Keeler, indicated that the Lincoln would soon be heading back to the U.S., but may make further supply stops along the way. He did not provide a specific date for the strike group's return to the United States.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "USS Lincoln crew hits the streets of Thai beach city after lengthy Middle East deployment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/uss-lincoln-crew-hits-the-streets-of-thai-beach-city-after-lengthy",
        "published": "2026-09-03T07:23:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "FXStreet",
        "title": "WTI Oil hits highs near $91 as risks of an all-out war in the Middle East grow",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/wti-oil-hits-highs-near-91-as-risks-of-an-all-out-war-in-the-middle",
        "published": "2026-09-03T11:21:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}